Diabetes mellitus manifestations and challenges in post-COVID-19 syndrome: A critical review

Abstract

The human severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has targeted millions of people globally leading to significant mortality in more than 3.5 million people. A spectrum of incapacitating symptoms or indications that may continue for a year and are consistent with COVID-19 emerge during or after an infection and cannot be explained by any other disorder. The term “long COVID” or “post COVID-19 syndrome (PCS)” refers to this collection of symptoms. While diabetes and COVID-19 have an antagonistic relationship, it is still not clear whether chronic hyperglycemia leads to an increased predisposition for PCS or whether people with PCS have a higher prevalence of newly diagnosed diabetes or prediabetes. A higher predisposition toward infectivity and mortality was recorded in persons with diabetes which made up about 35% of the patients who passed away from the illness. The SARS-CoV-2 infection and diabetes appear to be linked in three different ways. The infection is linked to a weakened immune system, ongoing inflammation, and maybe immediate pancreatic dysfunction. This review will explore the diabetes manifestations and associated challenges in COVID-19 and PCS. In addition, the review will also focus on the management strategies of diabetes with emphasis on the development of a comprehensive care plan for self-care among PCS patients.